tele
Hall of Fame
Makes the dr feel muted and hollow once you get used to it
Yonex VCore Pro 97 HD review...
- Thread starter FuzzyYellowBalls
- Start date
NastyWinners
Hall of Fame
Can absolutely pound serves with it.
Fairhit
Hall of Fame
I just went back to my Strike PO7, I tried many combos but the only one that somewhat worked, was with polys and just 4 hours into testing, my elbow started acting up, so I had to go back to the same syn gut I've been using. I'm going to miss the Vcore Pros but I needed more spin and an 18x20 using syn gut was giving me too little.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
Hopefully somebody can help me here. Ordered an HD after playing with a Youtek Graphene Speed Pro, really wanted to like it and unfortunately just cannot gel with it. I strung it with tour bite 17g at 52 lbs and it feels like a 2x4 especially on off center hits. I can’t get any touch or feel on the ball to be able to take pace off or even throw up lobs during warmups off overheads which I’ve never had any problem with any other rackets.
Is this a string problem or should I sell this thing?
Is this a string problem or should I sell this thing?
bobeeto
Hall of Fame
Try it with syn gut and I think you’ll start to like it. I settled on a hybrid, but need a thin gauge poly to open up the bed
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Several things may help. Choose a thinner gauge string (1.15mm or thinner), lower the tension to 45-48 pounds, and even try a hybrid set-up with Syn Gut or Multi in the Crosses.
The first thing (gauge) will lower the weight in the head and open up the string bed for more spin and launch angle, the second will provide more power and pocketing of the ball, and the third will make the string bed softer and more powerful (helping with touch, drop shots, and lobs).
Hope that helps. Stick with it because it's an awesome racquet.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
Should the synthetic gut string also be a 17g like the gamma tnt?
tele
Hall of Fame
@Bigmctennis, I liked head velocity 17g at 50-52 (some might say go lower) in my HD. It was the least launchy of the multis I tried. Feel is a little bit muted, and you miss some spin relative to poly, but once you adjust, playability stays pretty predictable even as the string drops tension. Will definitely give you a little more oomph and soften things up.
However, IME, the HD does feel relatively stiff on off-center hits, while really soft in the sweet spot.
However, IME, the HD does feel relatively stiff on off-center hits, while really soft in the sweet spot.
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bobeeto
Hall of Fame
I don’t think that’a a bad idea. Like others have said, because it is so low RA, odd center shots will have 0 power and 100% vibration so that’s something to consider. I play college and only bring it out for some doubles fun here and there
Fairhit
Hall of Fame
This racquet is not for everyone, stick with it, try new strings and work on your footwork, the racquet demands you to prepare early, to be fast and be ready, if you stick with it, your game will improve.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
To all that replied, thank you. I strung it up with Yonex PTP 16L @ 48/46 today and WOW it feels like a whole different racket in the best way possible
Lobs were something I really struggled to get right with my HD. It seems to be a very fine line with the HD between the ball barely moving and the ball flying way way long with just the slightest difference in swing speed/force.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
So I just got my second VCORE Pro 97HD in the mail today. I noticed with the one that I have strung a couple times that it is 3mm wider in the width of the middle of the stringbed and about 1.5mm shorter than the new frame. I wonder how to counteract this? I'm sure it doesn't make a difference but don't want to cause any further distortion....Strung the "distorted" one at 48/46 with YPTP
I only have one HD, but sometimes when I've had it strung it's come back longer than it should be, and other times perfect dimensions.
Bigmctennis
Rookie
Interesting, is it always the same tension you're getting in it with one string?
I get somebody else to string it for me. Pros Pro synthetic gut 1.35. Don't know what happened but one time the head was longer and narrower, sweetspot felt tiny and the swing-weight had gone way up. Then the next time he strung it it was perfect no problems.
I get somebody else to string it for me. Pros Pro synthetic gut 1.35. Don't know what happened but one time the head was longer and narrower, sweetspot felt tiny and the swing-weight had gone way up. Then the next time he strung it it was perfect no problems.
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
~_~
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RF_PRO_STAFF
Hall of Fame
Yonex AC128EX Excel Pro Replacement Grip Black. The grips that are on the racquet when you buy it, are glued on and don't have that double sided tape adhesive. It will have that when you buy that replacement grip seperately. Because of that, it's slightly heavier and might feel a bit thicker. The grip is the same otherwise.
john cheng
Rookie
Hi! I know this is an old thread, but I just want to share a bit of my experience transitioning to the VCP 97HD. Lots of talks about the upcoming new Percepts and I think it would be a nice to see how the HD holds up with the new model!
So back to the HD. I was initially on the fence whether to fully commit to the HD (from DR). But I really can't pass up the touch/feel that I get from using it. Long story short- now I settled in to playing with it full time. Strung one with VS 17 mains, BB 17 cross at 49#, and the other one with a full bed Solinco Hyper G soft 17 at 46#.
I find myself using the full bed and enjoying it more recently due to the spin, control and power that I can generate/get from it. It has a good put away pace for an 18 mains. No issues with wrist (used to have one) and shoulder pain.
I had the solinco confidential on the DR, but didn't like it too much. I think I've had it strung too low. Not tried it with the HD though.
I've just acquired a VCore Pro 97D to go with my HD.
97D specs are: 343g strung with over-grip and dampener, strung balance 31.9cm, swing-weight 296 unstrung, don't know strung but using 16g synthetic gut.
97HD specs: 346g strung over-grip and dampener, strung balance 31.8cm, swing-weight unknown unstrung or strung. Same strings.
The 97D is a good racquet, feels slightly stiffer than the HD but not much. Noticeable throat flex which is nice compared to my 360+ Prestige Mid which feels equally stiff all the way through it. I was expecting the D to feel clunky or clubby or difficult to manoeuvre but it doesn't feel like that at all.
For some reason though, the HD despite only being 3g heavier than the D feels more solid. It also feels quite a bit heavier somehow.
Makes me curious to try the 97H or to add weight to my D.
97D specs are: 343g strung with over-grip and dampener, strung balance 31.9cm, swing-weight 296 unstrung, don't know strung but using 16g synthetic gut.
97HD specs: 346g strung over-grip and dampener, strung balance 31.8cm, swing-weight unknown unstrung or strung. Same strings.
The 97D is a good racquet, feels slightly stiffer than the HD but not much. Noticeable throat flex which is nice compared to my 360+ Prestige Mid which feels equally stiff all the way through it. I was expecting the D to feel clunky or clubby or difficult to manoeuvre but it doesn't feel like that at all.
For some reason though, the HD despite only being 3g heavier than the D feels more solid. It also feels quite a bit heavier somehow.
Makes me curious to try the 97H or to add weight to my D.
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
Wrong thread lol
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My vcore pro 97hd just became a serial killer with my arm. it destroyed my right elbow first then may left elbow. after 2 years in peace even them at start it hurt a bit but passed, now he is just mad.
The problem is during the match i just feel sometimes horible vibration from a mishit, late hit , etc but the vibration are too much to be normal for that stifness and for my setup natural gut with yptp.
i cant even bend my arm to maximum extent because of the pain.really i dont know wtf is happening maybe the dampening mesh just dissapeared from handle after 2 years.
I am just so disapointed from yonex with their gimmick tehnology .
The problem is during the match i just feel sometimes horible vibration from a mishit, late hit , etc but the vibration are too much to be normal for that stifness and for my setup natural gut with yptp.
i cant even bend my arm to maximum extent because of the pain.really i dont know wtf is happening maybe the dampening mesh just dissapeared from handle after 2 years.
I am just so disapointed from yonex with their gimmick tehnology .
Sorry to hear that.
But with correct technique that absolutely shouldn't be happening, especially not with gut/PTP, there hardly exists a more arm friendly string setup.
However, it's a demanding racquet, maybe you're often late in timing and swing, muscling the ball instead of a relaxed swing. What's your tennis level?
But with correct technique that absolutely shouldn't be happening, especially not with gut/PTP, there hardly exists a more arm friendly string setup.
However, it's a demanding racquet, maybe you're often late in timing and swing, muscling the ball instead of a relaxed swing. What's your tennis level?
SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
idk about gimmick lol if anything ppl complain it is too dampened
the problems is the vibrations i tested other racquets too this period because of this with higher swingweight like vcore100,pure aero,wilson blade with poly strings and i feel vibrations but not so harsh and my arm wasnt so bad.my level is 4-4.5With vcorehd the vibration is sometimes like a knife in tendon and i knew from the moment that it will get very inflamated after.i searched all racqet for cracks or grommet problem and i didnt see.probably the racquet interior structure had a problem which apear at a mishit or something.I dont know what to do but i will probably switch to gravity or blade.because now my both elbows are in pains.i cant even work i get one month free from job.
If the racquet has nothing and its my tehnique why the vibrations are not so bad with other racquets.
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Other racquets you mention are much easier to play with, so maybe you hit nicely in front of the body, with more relaxed swings, and crucially less muscling the ball. Try another 97HD perhaps, borrow one or something, to check if your racquet is damaged somehow. Also try a fresh overgrip, with enough tack, so that you're not gripping hard if the old overgrip is slippery.
But crucially, you shouldn't play with such an injury. Those are tendon-bone connection inflammation injuries, and if you don't stop and heal they can very easily become chronic inflammation, as opposed to acute (temporary) inflammation. And then doctors can't help you much with chronic inflammation. It won't go away on its own, you should focus on rehabilitation first.
First step is to massage the tendon, or tendon-bone connection point, as hard as you can, with your thumb, or a kitchen utensil or similar. All those hardened tendons must be all soft again, that's the first step. As you massage it will hurt a lot probably and become slightly more inflamed, but that's OK, don't take antiinflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. Continue, several times daily, for several days, as it feels best to you. When the inflammation subsides, and tendons soften, start stretching the tendons correctly, look it up on youtube, golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Stretch for 2 minutes, not just 10 seconds. Then several days later, or 10 days, as it feels best to you, you start with green TheraBand rubber exercises for GE or TE, once a day, carefully and slowly. That is by far the best exercise, eccentric moves.
But until you have gone through all this process it won't get better. Tendons have very little blood flow, and heal very slowly. (Muscles have a lot of blood flow, and heal very quickly..) Tendons need to be fully soft and stretched, all the knots and scars must be gone for normal function to recover.
But crucially, you shouldn't play with such an injury. Those are tendon-bone connection inflammation injuries, and if you don't stop and heal they can very easily become chronic inflammation, as opposed to acute (temporary) inflammation. And then doctors can't help you much with chronic inflammation. It won't go away on its own, you should focus on rehabilitation first.
First step is to massage the tendon, or tendon-bone connection point, as hard as you can, with your thumb, or a kitchen utensil or similar. All those hardened tendons must be all soft again, that's the first step. As you massage it will hurt a lot probably and become slightly more inflamed, but that's OK, don't take antiinflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. Continue, several times daily, for several days, as it feels best to you. When the inflammation subsides, and tendons soften, start stretching the tendons correctly, look it up on youtube, golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Stretch for 2 minutes, not just 10 seconds. Then several days later, or 10 days, as it feels best to you, you start with green TheraBand rubber exercises for GE or TE, once a day, carefully and slowly. That is by far the best exercise, eccentric moves.
But until you have gone through all this process it won't get better. Tendons have very little blood flow, and heal very slowly. (Muscles have a lot of blood flow, and heal very quickly..) Tendons need to be fully soft and stretched, all the knots and scars must be gone for normal function to recover.
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Yes , good points on what u say i will try to to buy some flex bar also or try to test another hd if posible , arm it doesnt hurt second day a lot only if i pull ups weight i can fell the soreness,pains and loss of power , that why i can play still but as i said is something fishy when i hit with it,if its the racquet i am not buying yonex ever again.
tele
Hall of Fame
the hd does not feel particularly soft off-center. if i struck a serve or volley near the tip of my hd when I had te, it felt harsher than stiffer racquets i had, while it remained especially flexy feeling when struck properly. You know best what you are experiencing, but it seems possibleyou are just now noticing these vibrations because your injured elbow has made you more sensitive to them.
In my situation its not soft at all its a knife,so probably i need to find a racquet which is really really arm confortable.How u escape from ur tennis elbow did u switch from hd also?
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Phat Dave
New User
59 RA on the HD is about as soft as they come, I also have gut/Poly tour pro currently in my HDs so I'm very surprised at your issues. The only racket I own that's even softer is Yellow C10 pro, which is heavier but more headlight balanced. Maybe try Isospeed Cream as a cross, I go very low at 52/48 and LOVE the volkl
fundrazer
G.O.A.T.
This topic has come up before. I'm also someone who ended up having arm issues while playing with 97HD, which was a shame because it's an otherwise great racquet. Like I put it in my top 3 that I've used. But then you also have folks chiming in acting surprised.
Can elso echo what @tele mentioned, any serve that I didn't hit cleanly would feel really harsh. Might also be an issue with me arming the serve too much. I've since been playing with Blade 2015 18x20 reissues though and have not had arm issues in like 2.5 years.
Can elso echo what @tele mentioned, any serve that I didn't hit cleanly would feel really harsh. Might also be an issue with me arming the serve too much. I've since been playing with Blade 2015 18x20 reissues though and have not had arm issues in like 2.5 years.
probably frame/vdm fail.
tele
Hall of Fame
i went to a pro staff 97 (countervail version) strung with isospeed professional classic. pain on impact disappeared, though i would still get a little soreness after playing. i took a break and started doing flexbar exercises. when i came back, i worked carefully on kinks in my technique and continued with the ps97 for a while before trying out different racquets. I used isospeed control or professional classic in all of them until my elbow felt back to normal. one racquet that was particularly comfortable was the prince ats tour 95, though it is not quite as precise as the hd.
**i would strongly recommend getting medical advice to assess the severity of your injury and find out if and how long you should take a break from tennis.
I agree with tele, check with a physician and possibly get some PT. A break from tennis will probably be required to stop it from flaring up.
I would also suggest a couple of racquets. C10 Pro or PK 5G. I use the 97HD and it is a great racquet- soft flex. Strings make a big difference. Gut strings has got to be the one you use. You can use a full bed to play at first. No jarring. I use gut/Irakandji or gut/Yonex Poly Tour Air. I have not used Cream as a cross but it is a soft poly with elastic properties, similar to the Yonex Poly Tour Air string. Basically stay away from the rest of polys, too jarring and loses tension way too quickly. You over swing to make up for the tension loss and that makes your injury even worse.
I would also suggest a couple of racquets. C10 Pro or PK 5G. I use the 97HD and it is a great racquet- soft flex. Strings make a big difference. Gut strings has got to be the one you use. You can use a full bed to play at first. No jarring. I use gut/Irakandji or gut/Yonex Poly Tour Air. I have not used Cream as a cross but it is a soft poly with elastic properties, similar to the Yonex Poly Tour Air string. Basically stay away from the rest of polys, too jarring and loses tension way too quickly. You over swing to make up for the tension loss and that makes your injury even worse.
My right elbow is in process of accelerate healing since i realise a way to drop the weight from 341 with overgrips and ****s to 333 full strung on my hd.It seem the problem was the weight which cause being late at balls which caused very bad vibrations from frame.After i drop the weight i am never beaten by players that were 50% - 50% before with me.Still i will replace the frame because of bad vibration that kill my elbows.The left elbow is also 60% healed but i still dont use backhand since then only slice.which on hd is the best.Because i am in process of selecting my replacements for hd and testing new racquet i realize that hd is too heavy in stock for amateur players and i only recomand this racquet for double players or serve and voley strict and also lack spin .
The fact i didnt realize the problem from the begining was that i wasnt felt my arms tired at end of matches while returning late and i didnt comprehend wat was wrong.
The fact i didnt realize the problem from the begining was that i wasnt felt my arms tired at end of matches while returning late and i didnt comprehend wat was wrong.
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@agradina - What frames are you thinking of to replace the HD? With Yonex, if you can get your hands on an under-spec one, the Percept 97D would be the logical replacement; maybe a regular P97 310 if you don't mind the more open pattern. Outside of Yonex, for something well-dampened but still with good feel and incredible slice, check out the Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20. Put in a 1.20 or 1.15 gauge poly, or 1.25 gauge non-poly, then add 5-10g of spiral-wrapped lead tape under the base grip, just above the butt cap taper (about 1" up the handle), to make it as head-light as you're used to, and you'd be good to go. Or if you're in a market with the 315 18x20, you probably wouldn't need to mess with any handle weight.
I am in a huge process of testing since september because i like to play with the frame for many year once i picked and i tested a lot until now and i will test more in the months to came.
The main criteria will be:
-confortable
-static weight 300 to 315 grams maximum
-sweet spot more forgiving than hd.
-bit more spin and oomp from the pattern.
-flex 60-64.
-be good at serves/slices/double backhand.
I tested tf 40 305 16x19 it wasnt stable against spin paced balls yes if i will test 18x20 difenetely it need lead.
I cant tell now what frame i think to replace because i am in proces of testing and once i finised i will select two and put my natural gut combo and test finally in 2 matches at least,but from wat i tested until now i liked gravity pro comfort,forgivness and easy depth, ezone 100 incredibile stability and comfort at ridicolous low static and swing weight,percept 100 feel at voleys ,
head speed mp maneuvrability and spin,wilson blade 98 16x19 control,vcore for easy pace on balls,tf 40 for solid feel ,gravity mp for control and comfort.
The main criteria will be:
-confortable
-static weight 300 to 315 grams maximum
-sweet spot more forgiving than hd.
-bit more spin and oomp from the pattern.
-flex 60-64.
-be good at serves/slices/double backhand.
I tested tf 40 305 16x19 it wasnt stable against spin paced balls yes if i will test 18x20 difenetely it need lead.
I cant tell now what frame i think to replace because i am in proces of testing and once i finised i will select two and put my natural gut combo and test finally in 2 matches at least,but from wat i tested until now i liked gravity pro comfort,forgivness and easy depth, ezone 100 incredibile stability and comfort at ridicolous low static and swing weight,percept 100 feel at voleys ,
head speed mp maneuvrability and spin,wilson blade 98 16x19 control,vcore for easy pace on balls,tf 40 for solid feel ,gravity mp for control and comfort.
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AmericanTwist
Professional
agradina - if you are getting tennis elbow with a 59a frame you are surely going to get tennis elbow with any stiffer frame. I bet you are using full bed of poly strung too tight. Other reason for arm soreness (aside from muscle soreness which is natural) is sub optimal technique.
What you should explore is to try softer frames. The clash, black ace, phantom pro, prestige come to mind. I am sure there are other choices.
The yonex Vcore HD is one of the best player frames out there. Ben Shelton used it in college. I would bet that his Ezones have a similar flex profile (due to commercialization and marketing).
What you should explore is to try softer frames. The clash, black ace, phantom pro, prestige come to mind. I am sure there are other choices.
The yonex Vcore HD is one of the best player frames out there. Ben Shelton used it in college. I would bet that his Ezones have a similar flex profile (due to commercialization and marketing).
Please read all i write before post, i am using natural gut with alu power/poly tour pro strung at 53/52. and also i explained what i think was the cause.
@agradina -Gotcha. Not sure if you've tried this, but playability side, how about a more shock-absorbent cross than Alu or PTP, such as MSV Swift, or a even a non-poly, such as Diadem Evolution?
As for other options besides the TF40's, how about:
- Angell K7 Lime
- Angell React MP Pro (99" 18x19"), or custom
- Angell TC95 18x20, at a spec of 310g/315mm or 315g/310mm
- Babolat Pure Strike 97, customized up
- Donnay Pro One 97 18x20, customized up
- Head Gravity Pro, under-spec, via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour, customized up
- Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305, under-spec, via matching service, with handle weight
- Wilson Blade v8/v9 18x20, with handle weight
- Wilson Ultra Pro v4 18x20, maybe 16x19, customized up (probably too under-powered, but a possibility)
- Yonex Percept 97D - under-spec, via matching service -- there are 315-ish gram samples out there
Hope you find your goldilocks frame soon enough!
As for other options besides the TF40's, how about:
- Angell K7 Lime
- Angell React MP Pro (99" 18x19"), or custom
- Angell TC95 18x20, at a spec of 310g/315mm or 315g/310mm
- Babolat Pure Strike 97, customized up
- Donnay Pro One 97 18x20, customized up
- Head Gravity Pro, under-spec, via matching service
- Head Gravity Tour, customized up
- Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305, under-spec, via matching service, with handle weight
- Wilson Blade v8/v9 18x20, with handle weight
- Wilson Ultra Pro v4 18x20, maybe 16x19, customized up (probably too under-powered, but a possibility)
- Yonex Percept 97D - under-spec, via matching service -- there are 315-ish gram samples out there
Hope you find your goldilocks frame soon enough!
That msv swift looks good,if its more playable than alu power or ptp i can take it no problem.
I'd posit a cautious guess that Swift would be no worse, at least not by later in the string bed life, where it should hold more tension and initial playability than either Alu or PTP. So give it a try, and maybe report in the MSV Swift thread as to how it works out:
MSV Swift
Hello, does anyone have experience with this string ? It is said to be a very arm friendly and soft but still durable poly. Unlike most soft poly, it is meant to hold tension very well. Thanks for sharing your experience on how it actually plays. I am thinking about using this full bed, my...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Thewall
New User
I have 3 of the dark green Yonex Vcore Pro 97s ...2 330G, and 1 320GHD. I have gravitated toward the 320G 18x20 for its precision and plow for doubles. I find my full swing to be consistent even in doubles when under more pressure to have a win for the "team". The 330G I would pick up for singles matches where I don't have to flick it up right away for a volley like I might need to often in a doubles game. I string them all with a hybrid 46/48. 47/49 hyper g and a synth. After trying a lot of rackets in this vein both yonex brand and others these are my chosen weapons for my quiver. The HD may remain my fav of all
MSUspartans777
Rookie
I'm looking for an HD in good condition. If anyone is willing to sell one please send me a PM.
Fairhit
Hall of Fame
I have a couple in 9.9/10 condition in the off chance you are geographically close to me.
MSUspartans777
Rookie
Excellent news. I'm located in Atlanta.
Fairhit
Hall of Fame
As I said, very off chance. I´m in Colombia.
